Response 822455382

Elected representatives

6.
Members of Parliament are elected to represent local people’s interests in the House of Commons. How can the internet and social media help with this?

Comment:

Can let MPs know about issues of concern to electorate, and let MPs pass on news about what Parliament is doing to electorate and ask for views.

7.
Does social media enhance the local link for MPs, or undermine it by involving them in more national and international discussions?

Comment:

Enhances, or makes a much larger burden of communication for MPs to answer.

8.
Use of interactive technology is increasing. Is this likely to increase pressure for more direct democracy, such as crowd-sourcing, referendums and citizens’ initiatives?

Comment:

It probably will, but that does not necessarily mean that such things should be agreed/promoted.

9.
What will democracy look like in 15 – 20 years?

Comment:

Sadly most things will be decided by clicking buttons, and there will be very little debate.

Information about politics

10.
Most people still get most of their news from television, although this seems to be changing in favour of online information. Traditional news organisations are also changing. What impact will this have on elections and democracy in general?

Comment:

Those people who do not wish to use online facilities will be seriously marginalized. There is a danger that there will be little consideration of issues in depth - no full newspaper or internet stories - with only superficial headlines about what is happening.

11.
How can online provision of information about elections be improved, including details of where to vote, how to vote and the results?

Comment:

~Coverage is pretty good now. Not sure there is much room for improvement.

Political campaigning

12.
Can we expect continuous election campaigning through digital channels – what would citizens feel about that and would it undermine or strengthen representative democracy?

Comment:

To some extent we already have continuous election campaigning. Don't think it would make much difference.